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Hokitika Guardian, 18 April 1928, Page 2

TilK success of the Bremen flight was providential. It seems clear from the accounts that, the fliers had lost their way and were at the mercy of the winds. The winds were kind in their way, for with the petrol -exhausting, the aeroplane was still tar from its destination. By veering northward the wind carried the aerial voyagers to tile closer land, and providence thus aiding them, the voyagers took the risk of landing on what lor the time being armoured to be an unknown destination. Nevertheless, it is lortimale that flu* intrepid* party came through ituscatbod, In entering on tbe oiitciprise they did so knowing tbe risk full well. They took that risk, and had their till of the danger which beset thorn. The journey is full of perils, and probably their experience uill serve to remind others contemplating the attempt of the IVat what are the real pitfalls. -Now that the party are ml'e. there are great rejoicings, and the mcii have become heroes. 'I he incident serves to show the narrow margin which exists between success ami failure in these e xploits. After all, man is verv puny when the elements have to la* contended with, plan though he may. Courage and resource count for very little in the final grips if the elements are unfriendly. It- is then that fate prevails and human endurance fails. The present exploit now counts as a victory, as a veritable triumph, hut disaster was avoided only l-,v a hair breadth, and that through the iiiiseeming kindness of the ele-

incuts. At till* outset tli<* von Lure was described as “foolhardy” bv the Her-

man newspapers, regarding it. as “a spurting feat of daring which would not further trans-Atlantic [aviation. But a rather different note is struck now in the pean of praise for the accomplished lliglit of the Atlantic. Fven Kochi was dismissed from his employ* meat because of undertaking the flight, but the Company may now he constrained to seek to retain so well advertised an employee. When all is said, however, the fact remain- that tho trip has been accomplished, and for that success much must have rested on the rompletenes of the preparations. As far as could he gathered in advance, the attention to detail in the equipment of the machin«. was almost complete. The only criticism was ac the absence of wireless and a collapsible boat. It seems evident now that wireless should he an essential for all these difficult flights so as to indicate location as well as to pick up routes. Had the Bremen been so equipped much anxiety would have been saved on all sides. The flying party while lost in the clouds and at the meircy of

the wind, could at least have called

location, and could have picked up some friendly voice for guidance instead of trusting as they had to. to

blind fate. In the Tasman flight the failure of a proper wireless equipment was the outstanding experience of the tragic occurrence. The want of tin wireless might easily have accounted for the adverse fate of tho Bremen, had not-providence taken a hand ami a friendly wind helped to hoar the aeroplane to unexpected safety and viotorv.